“Not helping. ”

“Sorry, babe. ” His endearment tugged at me, even as his apology came through loud and clear. “Wolf suggests you trust your instincts. According to him, chances are good both are going to be a bitch to get through. Can you keep this

open as you go? ”

Good question, because my head was already starting to pound under the

strain of talking to him telepathically. “Maybe? It’s hard to hold on to you. ”

Something switched in our connection, and a mental weight shifted, as if

Kayden was now holding the link open between us. “Better? ”

“Yeah, not sure what you did, but thanks. ”

Instead of explaining, he said, “I’m going to just tag along. I’ll try to keep quiet, because Wolf and I both think you’re going to need everything you’ve got

to get out of there. If you speak out loud, I should hear you. As soon as Wolfpicks you up again, he’ll be there to help, okay? ”

I nodded. Then realized he couldn’t see me and said, “Got it. ”

Getting to my feet, I flicked the light back on and stood. “Okay,” I kept my

voice low. “Let’s see if this works. You reading me?”

“Five by five.”

My nerves settled at the military version of ‘loud and clear’ in Kayden’s voice. I ran the beam of light both ways and tried to figure out which one didn’t

feel off. Since they were both gaping maws of darkness, I snorted.

I walked forward, counting my steps. At three hundred, I stopped. No change

in temperature, no change in the clinging darkness. There were some rustling noises, but I couldn’t make out what caused them. I retraced my steps back to my original starting point, and then repeated my actions in the opposite

direction.

This time, the temperature dropped, the darkness surged, and the rustling

noises and the static in my head increased with each step. At two hundred, I stopped and bent over, hands on my knees, sucking in air while sweat dotted my

forehead. Okay, this way sucked. It also made my decision easier, even as it scared the crap out of me. “Let’s take choice number two.”

Kayden’s energy spiked with reluctance, but before he could respond, I

explained, “This route is scary as hell, but I think that’s the point of this. If I take the easier one, I think it draws me deeper away. Remember, whoever’s behind this gets off on scaring me. Great way to make sure I don’t poke at what he’s doing.”

“And if you’re wrong? ”

“Then I come back and try again,” I muttered.

“If you can make it back. ”

“Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence.” Hurt and angry, I pulled back.

“Don’t! Look, I’m sorry, okay? I just…” he trailed off, his emotions tangling.

It was hard to hold onto my anger when I could feel his emotions. It also showed me something I wasn’t sure he wanted me to see. Woven in his

frustration and worry were other feelings, ones that stretched deeper than I expected. Ones I wanted to explore with him. Later. If my courage didn’t take a

hike. Stunned by his unintentional reveal, my hands trembled, and the light shook.

I gave what I could and admitted, “Yeah, me too.” I straightened my

shoulders and sucked it up. “Let’s do this.”

CHAPTER 22

A s the alley stretched endlessly before me, I wondered at the wisdom of

my choice. My teeth were tapping out their own version of Morse Code

at the unnatural drop in temperature. Granted, desert temperatures could go from

sweltering to freezing, but this was ridiculous. Faint noises echoed around me, not yet making sense but some sixth sense told me when they did, I was going to

be in serious shit. Even as I tried to ignore them, they chased me down the narrow confines. Even worse, the undecipherable words circled my brain like hungry vultures just waiting for an opening.

You’re not going to make it. You’re not strong enough.

You’ve failed how many times already? What’s once more? So stupid. You’re

doing exactly what he wants.

Keep running, Cyn, I’ll be here waiting.

The last one really unnerved me. My connection to Kayden seemed to thin

which made it difficult not to pay attention. I tried singing at the top of my lungs.

Not an easy feat when you’re stumbling through a midnight-drenched alley. It didn’t help. The deeper I went, the louder the whispers grew, and the closer those

intimidating noises became. Kayden tried to stay with me, but eventually even his voice was swallowed by the dry, rattling accusations. Some of those voices

found their mark, drawing blood from past choices and current insecurities, until

I was running blind, praying for an end.